Since I have some of my trees outside, I was wondering what is the suggested insecticide that is bonsai-safe? I heard about neem oil somewhere but wasn't sure. I know the aphids around my house love to eat everything I put outside, so I thought I'd ask.

Yes, neem oil is well liked.

Hello,

The following is a list of some insecticides/fungicides that can be used for diseases of trees and shrubs. To make absolutely sure you are spraying the right fungicide for your situation, call your local Cooperative Extension agent.

* For leaf spots: Triadimefon, Chlorothalonil, Benomyl, Mancozeb, Propiconazole.
* For powdery mildew: Triadimefon (but some mildews are resistant).
* For rusts: Mancozeb, Chlorothalonil, Propiconazole
* For root rots caused by water molds (Phytophthora or Pythium): Fosetyl-A1, Metalaxyl
* For root rots caused by other fungi: thiophanate methyl
* Seed treatments: Captan


Thanks.

hey Butt
Safer Soap is a good safe start. Even so read the lable.

Depending on the tree most plant insecticides will work, however trees with hairs on their leaves seem to be more sensitive to them. When you have a bug problem it is important to research the life cycle of these bugs so you can spray every week until the eggs would have hatched. I have used Ivory Dish soap and alcohol diluted in water for some of my problems

corcor gives the best advice, in my opinion. if the solutions are places in a spray bottle that you can apply the liquid with force then do so. a forceful blast with this concoction will send most bugs running and will not injure the plant. regular misting will deter most buggies including spider mites.